If you are one of the more than 34 million people who are expected to travel over the upcoming Labor Day Weekend, the Better Business Bureau is warning that you take safeguards to avoid being scammed.
“The amount of money lost each year to vacation scammers is staggering about $10 billion dollars. When you look at a number like that it’s easy to see why being pro-active and cautious is so important.” says Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois.
Trying to take advantage of last minute deals is often where travel plans go wrong; that’s when consumers will often let their guard down. The BBB offers the following tips when planning your trip:
Use only reputable websites when booking your vacation. Some of those fabulous looking listings are completely faked. Always check out the company with the BBB.
Never wire money for vacation rentals
Whenever possible pay with a credit card.
Know that airline loyalty account holders are sometimes targeted by phishing scammers trying to get you to click on a link and provide your ID number and password. Phishing scams are increasing. Delete suspicious emails.
Ignore emails that claim to be about a travel itinerary that you know you did not book. They are phishing for credit card numbers and bank info by trying to make you believe there is a problem with your arrangements, or get you to panic at the thought of an incorrectly booked trip.
Beware of any deal that seems too good to be true.
Don’t over share information about travel plans on social media. Many burglars watch for vacant homes by reading your posts. Share your photos online only after your trip is over.
While enroute there are things you should also do, especially when it comes to your online security:
- Use Caution with Public Wi-Fi – Remember that 90% of public Wi-Fi hotspots are insecure. Fraudsters can create an evil twin of a public hotspot – a rogue network that looks legitimate. Watch out for pop-up windows seeking information under the guise of updating one of your programs.
- Avoid online use of passwords – Do any online bill paying or banking before you leave home.
- Check Virus Protection – Be sure your antivirus and security software has been updated.
- Protect your devices – Keep careful watch of your laptops or other devices at crowded airports. 12,000 laptops go missing every week from airports. Security checkpoints are often where someone picks up someone else’s property.
- Be pro-active – Have tracking software installed on your devices just in case they turn up missing.
During your stay:
Scammers can fake calls – They may call claiming to be from the front desk and saying there is a problem with your credit card. Don’t give them any information over the phone.
Takeout menus – These can be slid under your door, hoping you’ll call a number and order food using your credit card. That’s how they get your information. No food will come. Check first with the hotel to be sure of legitimacy.
For more information on scams, visit www.bbb.org/chicago, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or add us on Pinterest.
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ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2014, people turned to BBB more than 165 million times for BBB Business Reviews on more than 4.7 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 113 local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution, advertising review, and industry self-regulation.
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